In 2011, the Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) is excited to expand its efforts to Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; and Los Angeles, California! The Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) is part of a commitment by the Black AIDS Institute to help raise HIV science and literacy in the Black community. BTAN aims to increase patient access to treatment and care, strengthen local leadership and advocate for policy change through its key objective: Build a trained network of Black HIV/AIDS advocates to share knowledge and lead efforts to improve the bridge into quality HIV care and treatment for Black Americans. BTAN Objectives include supporting the link to the healthcare system and the bridge into quality care and treatment, improving the science literacy of Black HIV treatment advocates and service-providers, dispelling the myths about care and treatment, knowledgably participate in advisory boards, mobilize greater peer advocacy and organizational leadership, participate in a network of Black advocates that can support and motivate each other and promote activities and accomplishments of members.

BTAN's intensive HIV science and advocacy trainings consist of two 3-day sessions covering a range of HIV/AIDS topics including testing resources, treatment strategies, linkage to care and community mobilization. The first 3-day training focuses on science and treatment and the second three day training focuses on community mobilization. The training provides a critical mass of Black HIV-providers and community members that are versed in the science, treatment, and advocacy components of HIV. This core group of individuals that attend the trainings will become the "local BTAN Network" in each city.

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